What Happens to the Body During the Body's Stress Response, and How It Affects Muscle Tension
Stress is more than just a mental process. In cases where the brain detects threat, stress, or demand, there is a biological reaction that aims at improving one's ability to survive and perform in the short term. The heart beats faster, the breathing pattern changes, muscles are prepared for action, and attention is enhanced. This is helpful when the response is brief. Being under stress for a long time can cause problems. Stress can contribute to muscle tension, poor posture, reduced mobility, and neck or back pain. For individuals who have musculoskeletal problems, stress can make symptoms more difficult to manage. Knowing this, this connection may provide an explanation for why precision chiropractic care is often considered more than just addressing pain points. The Body's Stress Response Starts With the Nervous System When the brain perceives an impending danger, the sympathetic nervous system activates the "fight or flight" reaction of the body. The adrenal g...